The Any Maple, Progressive~Progressive Bonsai Contest

wireme

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Sounds great, super inclusive entry requirements and I like that it may go on for years, rules sound perfect except for the fact that I I find a tree to enter I'll be sending a pic of a mound of snow every march 15. That's OK too, i could make a nice little snowman.
 

JudyB

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the judge will be looking for what you start with and what you manage to do with a year to improve it. If you use a tree you have had for ten years and it does not change much, no matter how beautiful it is will merit less score than someone who manages to put a complete set of branches on a tree in a year, and look great in the process.
I think that if you read this, then you can see that there is more to it than posting your finished product tree. I actually have as much chance with my deadwood maple in this competition than my massive maple if I look to this guideline.
 

Dav4

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Hmm, this sounds like a show off what ya got thing. I'm not seeing any challenge in it. So, let me get this straight- we spend a lot of money on a tree that someone else worked on for years or decades, we post in on here what we did in that 1/10th of a time period, and that's supposed to be a challenge?

Sounds like a bunch of experts pulling their shorts down to see who has the biggest nebari. Not very fun for a beginner like me.

Oh, and there are no bonsai stores around here. Just like 99% of bonsai enthusiasts on this forum. Less than 1% have a bonsai shop within 100 miles. Unless you consider Lowes and Walmart bonsai shops....

This is gonna be like 5 people particpating.
I actually see this less as a contest and more as a chance for both beginners and seasoned hobbyists to invest themselves in a good piece of UNDEVELOPED stock, work on it for a year, and get constructive criticism about their choices/techniques, etc along the way. I've been doing bonsai for a long time, but don't have a lot of experience with maples, and this is an opportunity for me to pick up my game in that regard and learn a lot from those who have been there before me. At least, that's how I see it playing out.
 
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I actually see this less as a contest and more as a chance for both beginners and seasoned hobbyists to invest themselves in a good piece of UNDEVELOPED stock, work on it for a year, and get constructive criticism about their choices/techniques, etc along the way. I've been doing bonsai for a long time, but don't have a lot of experience with maples, and this is an opportunity for me to pick up my game in that regard and learn a lot from those who have been there before me. At least, that's how I see it playing out.
Hmmm, I see it another way, not "UNDEVERLOPED" stock. A quote from Smoke, "In this thread I will show 12 possible maples and why each would be bad or good for a large maple contest."



These sure don't look underdeveloped to me...
 

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Dav4

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Hmmm, I see it another way, not "UNDEVERLOPED" stock. A quote from Smoke, "In this thread I will show 12 possible maples and why each would be bad or good for a large maple contest."



These sure don't look underdeveloped to me...
Some of those are further along then others, but I see more then a couple that just have a trunk and no branching to speak of, where others have the beginning of the branching but no ramification. The point is that these trees all NEED more development to get there, whether it's branching, ramification, wiring, etc. I'm thinking about using this one, started last year as truly raw material. I need to see if the caliper is appropriate the contest. Honestly, I've got nothing to lose and everything to gain.
DSCF3177.jpg DSCF3295.jpg
 

Smoke

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Some of those are further along then others, but I see more then a couple that just have a trunk and no branching to speak of, where others have the beginning of the branching but no ramification. The point is that these trees all NEED more development to get there, whether it's branching, ramification, wiring, etc. I'm thinking about using this one, started last year as truly raw material. I need to see if the caliper is appropriate the contest. Honestly, I've got nothing to lose and everything to gain.
View attachment 68747 View attachment 68748
That is the true spirit of the contest. So often we a before and after and no text on how it got there. That's what I want to watch... People's process.
 

fraser67

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Exactly. How about a gentlemens bet that over half of the trees shown have been shown before? Nothing new. Nothing progressive about it. Just a year snapshot of a trees life. Whoppee!!!! Oh, but some folks will get there ego's stroked again, and that's fine. I'll chime in with a 'nice tree' comment. But is this really a challenge? What exactly is the challenge part?
Like my grandmother used to say "it takes all kinds to make the world go round"...Watch and learn brother. For the record, I'm only four years in. I'm entering a tree that I'm trading my carpentry skills for...it's big and nowhere close to being a bonsai. It'll be a great challenge and a chance to participate with the likes of Smoke, BVF, Walter and many more.
Grow a pair and jump in!
 

Giga

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The maple I'm gonna enter is rather ugly so this should force me make something interesting, so I look forward to this as it should make me think harder/differently about something that's really isn't great or cost 5k. I think that progressive thinking is worth it as opposed to me kinda just letting it go or getting rid of something that isn't a million dollar tree. I can't afford "finished" material so those in that wheel can follow my blunderings:)
 
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fraser67

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That is the true spirit of the contest. So often we a before and after and no text on how it got there. That's what I want to watch... People's process.
Thanks for being a people pleaser! Lol
 

tmmason10

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image.jpg image.jpg I might use one of these since they both need drastic actions at some point. I've had them both for a few years but again, both are not on their way to being good bonsai yet.
 

Giga

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Mason do those have a 3" trunk at 1" line? Thatsthe only awesome caveat of this contest
 

Cadillactaste

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Like my grandmother used to say "it takes all kinds to make the world go round"...Watch and learn brother. For the record, I'm only four years in. I'm entering a tree that I'm trading my carpentry skills for...it's big and nowhere close to being a bonsai. It'll be a great challenge and a chance to participate with the likes of Smoke, BVF, Walter and many more.
Grow a pair and jump in!
How fortunate for you that you can trade your skills for material! I will enjoy watching the thread...but don't wish to put the funds into a 3" trunk. When I can take that same money and buy a tree closer to my taste. Maples are lovely...but, not on my list of wants. I do want one for my yard though...some cute dwarf variety. But I don't begrudge ones participating...and I feel I can still learn from this contest. Some just won't have the funds to put into a 3" tree...which is fine...they can still enjoy the ride watching and learning.
 

Nybonsai12

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I like this idea, i like the big box store challenge, I like the old threads of 5 year zelcova or 5 year trident challenges that I have read through too.
I won't be participating though, I don't have a suitable tree and am low on bonsai funds due to some offseason pot spending. So unless a really cheap tree comes about, i'm out.
For what its worth i post just about all of my trees here on BNut and continuously try to update. No real show stoppers so i understand there not being such great interest, but i always show my work, what i'm doing and what i'm trying to accomplish. I haven't been at it long and am no longer in my club so BNUT is pretty much all i got right now. This progression contest will be a wonderful thing to follow over the next year.
 

tmmason10

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Mason do those have a 3" trunk at 1" line? Thatsthe only awesome caveat of this contest
I think the tall one is but I have to check both to be honest. At any rate I will be working on them this year and posting regardless, though I'd like to try to get in this contest.
 

Smoke

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Mason do those have a 3" trunk at 1" line? Thatsthe only awesome caveat of this contest
That looks to be a big tree based on the window. I'm thinking closer to 4" maybe.
 

Judge

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Ok I am in for it I have 4 trees to enter.
Will post pic's when the snow melts. They are currently 3 feet under the snow. Should melt by April.
 

fraser67

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How fortunate for you that you can trade your skills for material! I will enjoy watching the thread...but don't wish to put the funds into a 3" trunk. When I can take that same money and buy a tree closer to my taste. Maples are lovely...but, not on my list of wants. I do want one for my yard though...some cute dwarf variety. But I don't begrudge ones participating...and I feel I can still learn from this contest. Some just won't have the funds to put into a 3" tree...which is fine...they can still enjoy the ride watching and learning.
I understand your personal preference. But you be surprised at what you can find for a couple hundred bucks lol
 

ghues

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Hey Smoke,
Like others I think the idea is great and will be watching from the sidelines. QUESTION - how will the judge weigh up the fact that some folks have a much longer growing season and thus an advantage in improving the tree? Then there is also the fact that one of the better maples (trident) does not grow well up here (and in other climes) unless one has a greenhouse for winter protection...just curious of the "judging parameters" in this only one year of development contest?:confused:
Cheers Graham
 

sorce

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I assume we could use a 3 inch branch airlayered?

That's almost free!

Sorce
 
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